201908.28
0

Killer of CHP officer fired at least 100 times, Riverside police say

by in News

The man who killed California Highway Patrol Officer Andre Moye Jr. during a traffic stop fired at least 100 rounds before being shot to death by other officers, a police official said Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Aaron Luther’s rifle was capable of firing about 120 rounds, Riverside Deputy Chief Larry Gonzalez said as he provided details on the Aug. 12 gun battle to the Riverside Community Police Review Commission not previously disclosed. The commission is an independent, nine-member civilian panel that examines officer-involved deaths and complaints against police in the city.

  • Andre Moye Jr., a CHP officer out of the Riverside office, was killed in a shootout on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 during a traffic stop in Riverside. (Courtesy of California Highway Patrol)

  • Aaron Luther’s 2015 booking photo. (Courtesy of Riverside Police Department)

  • Sound
    The gallery will resume inseconds

of

Expand

The Riverside Police Department, which is investigating the slaying of Moye, has not announced whose officers killed Luther. Riverside police, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and the CHP responded.

Moye, a 34-year-old motorcycle officer, was killed during a traffic stop in a shooting that wounded two other CHP officers. Moye had pulled over Luther, 49, at 4:54 p.m. in the area of Box Springs Boulevard and Eastridge/Eucalyptus Avenue, west of the 215 Freeway in Riverside. Luther had been driving alone in the carpool lane with an expired license and no registration

Gonzalez told commissioners that Moye pulled over Luther for a carpool lane violation. Moye was standing on the driver’s side of the truck, speaking with the tow truck driver and preparing to impound the truck, as Luther moved to retrieve belongings and a second CHP officer arrived. As Moye moved toward the passenger side, Luther grabbed a rifle from the truck and opened fire.

Moye did not have any cover. A long gun battle ensued as a third CHP officer and other law enforcement personnel arrived.

Police aren’t yet releasing details of that fight as the investigation continues. But Riverside police Officer Ryan Railsback said outside the commission meeting that Riverside’s police helicopter landed and other officers put Moye aboard. As the helicopter flew to a hospital with its doors off, the flight tactical officer performed CPR.

“Heroism is an understatement … bringing this shooting to an end,” Railsback said.